Newcastle's voters will decide whether the opposition Liberal Democrats will wrest control of the city council from Labour for the first time since 1996 at elections on June 10.

Today, the three main parties put forward their case.

**********

Labour - Coun Tony Flynn, Labour leader of Newcastle City CouncilNewcastle is a booming city. This has not happened by chance, but because of the successful partnership between a Labour government and the Labour council.

The lives of many in the city have improved in recent years because of the Government's strong economic performance in creating jobs and lowering inflation so that businesses can prosper.

Independent experts judge the Labour-run Newcastle Council as a "good council". The council is rebuilding every secondary school, providing modern facilities to enhance educational achievement so all our children can benefit.

Labour's social services are ranked in the top eight in the country.

Labour, working with residents, is building attractive communities so neighbourhoods are clean, green and safe. All street lights are being replaced and neighbourhood wardens are being appointed in every ward.

Labour investment of more than #1m per week in housing will bring all council homes up to decency standards by 2010.

Labour has worked hard for the successes achieved in the city.

Why change a winning team? Build on success - vote Labour.

***********

Lib Dem - Coun Peter Arnold, leader of Newcastle Liberal Democrat councillorsWe are fighting this election to win. We are the only realistic alternative to Labour - we're the only opposition on the council and have councillors across the city from Denton to Walkergate.

A Lib Dem run council will tackle Labour's failure in key areas and ensure the council listens to local people.

On educational attainment and environmental performance, Newcastle is in the bottom 10% nationally. We have clear plans for improving schools and sustainability.

On regeneration, Labour's Going for Growth plan has proved an expensive failure which has destroyed homes and communities. Road and pavement maintenance is officially poor and unlikely to improve. And in too many areas, litter and graffiti are big problems. We want to tackle all these issues, which Labour would rather not talk about.

Council tax has gone up by 57% here since 1997 and Newcastle now has one of the highest individual council tax rates in England.

A Lib Dem vote is a vote to axe council tax and introduce fair local tax instead. We've had 30 years of Hard Labour on the council. It's time to set Newcastle free. It's time for the Liberal Democrats.

**********

Conservative - Sandra Gilfillan, Newcastle Conservative spokesmanFor years, the lack of proper opposition by the Lib Dems has meant Labour has been able to do what they want. That could change if voters pick Conservatives.

Labour have put up council tax in Newcastle by 57% since 1997 and the Lib Dems are as bad. They wanted to increase council tax by almost as much as Labour this year and their proposed local income tax could see bills soar. We vow we won't put up council tax by more than inflation.

This year's election will be close. If the Conservatives hold the balance of power, we'll use our votes to force the other parties to keep council tax down. So, voting Conservative this year really will make a difference.

Improving the quality of life in Newcastle means paying more attention to the environment. We'll launch a two year programme to repair every pavement in the city and we'll set up dedicated teams to keep every bit of Newcastle clean.

Even the Government's own league tables show Labour's performance on education is among the worst in the country. Newcastle deserves better. We'll give individual schools more money and more power and keep our remaining middle schools open.

Liberal Democrat Baroness Shirley Williams sparked a row when she described the Labour Government's postal ballot trial as a shambles, during a visit to Newcastle.

The all-postal ballot among nearly 1.9 million North East voters for the local and European elections, on June 10, has been plagued by problems including the late delivery of voting packs to nearly 600,000 North voters.

Baroness Williams, Lib Dem leader in the House of Lords, said this raised concerns about the large scale pilot scheme covering 14 million voters in four regions.

Newcastle Council's Labour leader Coun Tony Flynn rejected the criticism and said 13,000 votes have already been returned in the city.

However, Conservative Euro MP Martin Callanan said councils are being forced to return thousands of invalid declaration forms to voters across the North East. Mr Callanan estimated 3% are being sent back to voters because the declaration of identity, which needs to be witnessed, is incorrect.

"This is an extremely high number," said Mr Callanan. "I urge people to take care with declarations which many are finding difficult."

The Lib Dems are advising people who are worried about their ballot returns to deliver them personally to their local council.

Newcastle Council has a ballot box in the customer service centre at the Civic Centre.

Baroness Williams said: "I've encountered some of the problems caused to voters by the postal vote shambles."

Coun Flynn said: "We refute suggestions that the postal ballot system is a shambles. We are confident of a high turnout."